Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Harkin, along with other Deputies in the area, has been to the forefront of this. I was in County Sligo for the launch with great fanfare of Project Ireland 2040, as were other Deputies. The upgrade of the N17 road was part of it. Small amounts of money are all that are needed for the coming years. The N17 is a major road. We are talking about having a greenway from Sligo to Galway. Deputy Kenny spoke about the western rail corridor. There is no train. People must realise that to get from Donegal or Sligo for specialised cancer treatment, stenting or other heart surgery, it is necessary to go to Galway. There seems to be more of an emphasis on cycling from Sligo to Galway than on putting a road in place when there is no public transport available. By the way, travelling by bus requires a road. Promises have been made but this project seems to be in a logjam. The Minister seems to have kicked this to touch. The Minister of State should bear in mind that the EU has made it clear that the north west is one of the areas that needs more infrastructural funding to help it provide more employment.

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